Happy April Everyone!

This month's book club title is Daily Life in Ancient and Modern Istanbul

You can read my review and find ordering information here.

More detailed general information about the book club and future titles are here.

Please, feel free to join in the discussion, whether or not you've read the book!

Julie

(edited to fix typos)

First questions:

What did you find most interesting about the book?
What did you find most surprising?

I think the art was the most interesting part of the book. I really liked being able to look at the art and read about the time and events pictured. I generally find that kind of context to be more interesting than things like what was going on in the artist's life or where the artist studied.

I was most surprised to learn how strongly connected Istanbul is to the Middle East and Asia. I usually think of Turkey and Istanbul as more European. This is likely because, as the book mentioned, they have made a specific effort to strengthen the ties between Turkey and Istanbul and Europe.

Julie

Does reading about Istanbul make you more or less interested in going there on vacation?

For myself, Turkey wasn't very high on my list of places I would like to visit. The more I learn about Turkey and Istanbul, the more interesting I find the idea of visiting.

I would love to visit turkey, but as a gay man that is too dangerous for me.

Sometimes I wish I could be more like my sister, who has pretty much decided that she's going to travel where she wants to travel and just does it. She goes places I'd never go and has a great a time...

Julie

I haven't seen Istanbul so far although seen Turkey two times with my family. I heard Istanbul is a crowdy city. Seems Istanbul had great history, before Ottoman Empire most of people west of Turkey were Greek I think. I love ancient and historical places but care of crowdy cities, even unwilling to see Tehran whereas we have a lot of family there.

Jase, I think Turkey is safe for you; people there are respectful with tourists. Just care to show your attitude in public places obviously I guess. You will find there fantastic atmosphere. In beaches and cities like Antalya, Marmaries, you will find a lot of European tourist. Just if they find your nationality, maybe encounter with some disrespectful behaviors.

I don't like big cities much either, but you miss so much amazing culture if you avoid them. I try to keep my visits to big cities short. I went to Mexico City on vacation several years ago and only stayed 3 days. I'd love to go back and see more, but 3 days was about the max I could take of such a big city.

I'm actually starting to feel that Portland is too big for me and thinking about moving somewhere smaller.

Julie